Apple Spice Bars

One-year old Linc eating his hand picked apple -
this is about when the apple love started!

As we all know, it is that wonderful time of year - FALL!  Some of you may be thinking "yeah wonderful - everything dies", but I am elated!  Fall and winter are my favorite seasons.  I love the crisp air, the comfy nights, SNOW, being able to breathe - yup it is all wonderful.  One of the best parts of fall, at least for this family, is apple picking.  Apples are a staple in our house.  Brian and I each eat one a day and we try to limit Linc to two a day.  (I am surprised he hasn't turned into a little apple.  He has been consuming multiple apples a day since he had enough teeth to eat them without help.  The best part - no cutting or peeling is needed!!  Just toss him an apple and he will be happy!)  Each year we go apple picking, normally twice.  We, hopefully, end up with at least a bushel of apples between each time. Then I have the enjoyable job of turning a good portion of the apples into yummy treats : applesauce, apple bread, baked apples, apple butter, apple dumplings, apple pie egg rolls, apple pie - you name it I make it.  This year I decided to look for some new recipes to add to my arsenal, and thus Apple Spice Bars joined the queue.

****Random Plug:  We thoroughly enjoy Barden Family Orchard and have been going there for about 4 years now.  The orchard is nice, the people are great and the prices are reasonable! - you pay for your bags, not your poundage.  If you are in the Scituate/Foster area and are looking to pick I highly suggest checking them out. ****

Apple Spice Bars

• 2 c Flour
• 1 T Apple Pie Spice *
• 2 t Baking Powder
• 1/2 t Cinnamon
• 2 Eggs
• 2 c Brown Sugar
• 1/2 c Margarine, softened
• 1 - 1 1/2 c Apples, peeled and chopped
• 1 t Vanilla

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F.  
2. Prepare a 9 x 13 baking dish by greasing liberally or lining with parchment paper.
3. Cream together the margarine, sugar, vanilla and eggs.
4. Add the baking powder, cinnamon, and apple pie spice to the mixture.  
5. Add in your apples and mix until well coated.
6. Finally add in the flour and mix until combined.  
7. Transfer the mixture to your prepared baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes or until it springs back to the touch.  
8. Let cool prior to cutting - if you can wait that long.
9. Enjoy!

I wish there was a way for me to share the wonderful smell of this baking!

Nutrition:  If you cut the bars into 24 equal section then the calorie count is about 130/bar.  I would say that is a respectable amount!

All done and nicely golden brown.  (Please excuse my well loved
pans - you can tell they get a LOT of use!)

                              

*If you do not buy apple pie spice, like me, then I have a method to make some.

Apple Pie Spice

• 1/4 c Cinnamon
• 1 T All Spice
• 2 t Nutmeg
• 2 t Ginger

1. Combine them all, mixing well.  You can store in an air tight container for future use!